3/13/2013 |
Freese's mind clear of distractionsFor David Freese, the difference a year can make is evidenced in the two challenges that no longer lie before him. Gone are the demands and requests that trail the reigning World Series Most Valuable Player Award winner. Gone, too, are the questions about when he'd finally be able to stay healthy and off the disabled list for a full season.

3/13/2013 |
Cabrera homers in first at-bat back from ClassicMiguel Cabrera's first game swing since the World Baseball Classic was good for a home run to left field, part of back-to-back homers with Torii Hunter, as the Tigers rolled to an 11-0 win over Florida Southern College in their annual Spring Training exhibition.

3/13/2013 |
Royals release right-hander MoscosoThe Royals on Wednesday released right-hander Guillermo Moscoso, who allowed five runs in five innings over three Cactus League appearances this spring.

3/13/2013 |
Follow all the Classic action with free appIf you are among the millions who are again shattering usage records with the MLB.com At Bat 13 app, the World Baseball Classic app is a natural companion. Just ask the many fans from Tokyo to Miami who are using it to absorb every moment of the tournament.

3/13/2013 |
Prime time or past prime: There are indicatorsAll players start to decline at some point. For some it starts happening at 29, for some at 33, but it happens. Players typically peak in their late 20s and start declining in their early 30s. Give or take. As the new season approaches, we take a look at some hitters who might well be entering and exiting those crucial peak years.

3/13/2013 |
Adrian pulled from return with upset stomachExcept for having to send Adrian Gonzalez home with an upset stomach after only two at-bats, manager Don Mattingly thought the Dodgers came away from a 6-2 loss to the Reds Tuesday night better than the score indicated.

3/13/2013 |
US, Dominicans vie for semis in marquee matchupWhen the powers that be drew up the brackets in the World Baseball Classic, they must have been hoping for this marquee clash of the tournament: Team USA vs. the Dominican Republic at Marlins Park on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.

3/13/2013 |
Healthy Votto has Reds poised to dominateThe return of a healthy Joey Votto, who missed 48 games in 2012, bodes well for a Cincinnati Reds squad coming off a 97-65 season in which they walked away with the National League Central title.

3/13/2013 |
Inexperienced pitchers a challenge for Puerto RicoPuerto Rico manager Edwin Rodriguez offered positive words for the inexperienced staff he is overseeing in the World Baseball Classic in the aftermath of a 7-1 loss to Team USA. The reality, however, is that Puerto Rico has a pitching staff that is facing a level of competition that is a challenge for proven pitchers, much less the virtual unknowns from Puerto Rico.

3/13/2013 |
Latos fans six, Choo homers as Cincy tops LAJosh Beckett of the Dodgers and Mat Latos of the host Reds looked sharp and kept the scoring to a minimum in a 6-2 Cincinnati victory before 5,369 in Goodyear Ballpark.

3/13/2013 |
Garcia racks up six strikeouts against GiantsOn a 79-degree night where Pablo Sandoval and two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum returned to the Giants' lineup, Padres right-hander Freddy Garcia stole the show.

3/12/2013 |
Bruce lets actions do the talkingWith all of Jay Bruce's big league success and his influence as a veteran in the Reds clubhouse, it's easy to forget the slugger is a mere 25 years old.

3/12/2013 |
Votto returns to Reds after emotional ClassicAs happy as Joey Votto was to be back at Reds camp on Tuesday, a part of him was still getting over the disappointment of Canada being knocked out of the World Baseball Classci.

3/12/2013 |
Kontos focused on keeping role in Giants bullpenDespite a 2012 campaign in which he posted a 2.47 ERA in 44 appearances, George Kontos is not taking anything for granted as he begins his second season in the Giants organization.

3/12/2013 |
Puerto Rico, Italy meet with elimination on lineThe time for urgency is now for Italy and Puerto Rico. Each squad lost on Tuesday night in their respective Round 2 opener of the World Baseball Classic at Marlins Park, setting up an elimination matchup on Wednesday.